WHITESAND — Two teenage brothers and the family dog narrowly escaped a devastating house fire that tore through their home in Whitesand First Nation on Wednesday afternoon.
Quentin Nodin Jr., 17, and his brother Carter, 14, were home alone at the time of the fire. Both boys, along with the family dog, made it to safety with the help of a contractor, Real Léveque, who was working next door.
The boys' parents, Quintin Nodin and Cassandra Shawanamash, and five other siblings were away when the fire broke out.
The family’s cat, Pumpkin, remains missing. “The cat is presumed lost to the fire,” said Darian Baskatawang, family spokesperson and nephew of Quintin Nodin Sr.
“This is an unimaginable loss for a family of nine who are losing not only their home but the place where they've built their lives and memories,” said Baskatawang.
“We pulled up and my immediate thought was their two youngest children, 'cause they're like 3 and 4,” said Angela Nodin, health coordinator for Whitesand First Nation, who is providing crisis support to the family.
“Somebody was standing there. I said, ‘What about the babies?’ And he’s like, ‘No, there were only the two boys home.’ And they’re out."
The brothers escaped with only the clothes on their backs, one boy wasn't even wearing shoes, she added. “Thankfully, family helps family, right? So one of his cousins had given him some shoes.”
By the time the volunteer fire crew arrived, the home was already beyond saving. “It won't take long for a house in the community here to go up in flames and to render everything completely lost,” Baskatawang said. “By the time the volunteer fire service gets there, the house is likely already unsalvageable because of how long it takes for the volunteer firefighters to get the call, get to the station, get the trucks ready, and get to the site.”
The OPP has confirmed that the fire was non-suspicious and a said there will not be an investigation.
The family is currently staying in temporary accommodations arranged by the First Nation, Baskatawang said, “and we'll be working with chief and council later on to figure out what the long-term plan is, to see what resources can be provided from the First Nation and to discuss ways that the community can step up and help these two community champions as well.”
“It's going to be a challenge to find housing in the community,” he added. "Luckily, the First Nation is in the phase of building new homes. The real issue is whether or not those houses that we do have can fit the family of nine.”
The family did not have content insurance, as addresses on reserve are generally not recognized by insurance systems, said Baskatawang.
“A lot of people stepped up and gave some money, just for whatever we can really,” said Baskatawas. “Others have donated some clothes, space in their homes, meals. Family members have stepped up to make sure that the boys and the children all have beds to stay in, that they're safe.”
Angela Nodin is coordinating a donation drive as "he whole family basically is without clothing,” she said. Right now they are only collecting monetary donations. Anyone who wished to donate can contact her at the community's health centre by calling 807-583-2671.
Support from the community has been swift and heartfelt, said Baskatawang.
“The family is overwhelmed by the generosity of the community and wants people to know how deeply appreciated all the gestures and the calls, and the messages of support are.”